Kingswinford motorists warned to expect more delays with major traffic project underway
A council has warned motorists to expect delays with upgrades to road signals at three major junctions well underway in Kingswinford.
The works, which are taking place in three phases, will affect stretches of Cot Lane, Swindon Road, Lodge Lane and Summerhill, as well as more areas as the work progresses.
It forms part of a £1 million investment by Dudley Council to improve traffic flow and make things safer for pedestrians in Kingswinford and Wall Heath.
Phase one of the works will put temporary traffic light systems into place on Cot Lane, Swindon Road, Lodge Lane and Summerhill.
Councillor Damian Corfield, cabinet member for highways and environmental services, said: "Residents, businesses and schools have asked us to look at ways of improving access for people who walk and cycle in the area while reducing congestion during peak journey times for motorists.
"We are pleased to now be able to move forward with these improvements, but it is a big piece of work and we are expecting delays while it is undertaken."
Phase two, set to begin in January, will see the works move to Moss Grove, Wolverhampton Street, Stallings Lane and Dudley Road.
The councillor continued: "I would urge people who travel in this area to keep up to date with the works through our traffic pages and try to plan journeys before setting out.
"We would like to thank residents who continue to be supportive of this critical work and I assure everyone that we will do all we can to keep disruption to a minimum."
The third and final phase of the works, scheduled to start in June until September next year, will see the works move again to the junction of Moss Grove, High Street, Market Street and Summerhill.
Temporary light systems will be put into place to minimise traffic disruptions.
Traffic chaos
The planned roadworks have caused traffic chaos for many commuters, with one user saying they "feel trapped in their own home" because of the time added onto their journey by the temporary lights.
On Facebook, an anonymous user posted to the 'I'm from Kingswinford' Facebook page, writing: "Yesterday afternoon it took me one hour to drive from Kingswinford to Wall Heath - a journey that should only take 10 minutes - all because of the traffic lights at Lenches Bridge, Cot Lane/Summerhill and top of Stallings Lane.
"The traffic was horrendous and something like I have never ever seen. What on earth is Dudley Council thinking of by allowing all of this to happen at the same time?
"I think I am going to be a prisoner in my own home because I am worried that popping out to the shops will leave me too exhausted and frustrated, not to mention how much extra petrol I will have to buy! Hope Dudley councillors are pleased with themselves."
The post has gathered a lot of attention online, with the original post being commented on over 60 times.
On the post, Facebook user Sam Bennett Wood wrote: "It's going to get worse, in fact a total nightmare, when all the three stages of the roadworks kick in.
"You'd have thought they would have started them in the main six weeks holiday."
Another user, Lee Avery, added: "12 months of this. It started on Monday. Like you say, really bad planning. Where are the councillors, why haven't they spoken up?"
The roadworks are planned to continue until September next year, when the final stage of roadworks will be completed.
